Drunken driver returns to kill 78-year-old hit-and-run victim

A man has been detained on manslaughter charges in a drunk-driving case in which he hit an elderly motorcyclist and fled, then returned later to run over and kill the victim, prosecutors in Nantou said yesterday.

The suspect, Hung Jung-hsiang, 24, claimed after his arrest that he did not know he had hit someone.

But witnesses told police that a car hit a motorcycle from behind in Caotun, Nantou County late Thursday night. The driver fled, leaving the motorcyclist, identified as 78-year-old Liao Chin-chuan, lying injured on the ground.

According to the witnesses, some people, including an off-duty nurse, then gathered around Liao trying to help him while waiting for the ambulance. Liao was then still breathing.

But later the car reappeared, moving toward the group at 50 to 60 km per hour. All managed to escape, except the injured Liao, who was run over again.

Liao was later taken to hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Police identified the car with information provided by the witnesses, tracked down the driver, and arrested Hung at his home. A breathalyzer test on Hung returned an alcohol reading exceeding the permitted level.

Hung told prosecutors that he did not know Liao personally, and he was having a joy ride after drinking and eating with friends.

His family said Hung works at an electronics company, and has often complained about heavy work pressure. Hung would often go out late at night to drink, the United Evening News cited the family as saying.

The family said they did not know Hung was in trouble until police arrived.

Prosecutors sought court approval to have Hung detained on manslaughter charges because of the severity of the case. The Nantou District Court granted the request.

MANSLAUGHTER? Drink driving is murder, you make a decision to use a dangerous weapon (car, bus, lorry etc) when drunk, so you should be charged with murder and in this case he came back to kill him, just shows that Hung is a cold blooded killer. Who cares that he has stress at work, everyone does!